Oh, Jenni Harley...thank you! Your lovely creations and colorful imagination have inspired me today!
Jenni's handcrafted dolls are made from vintage found hankies, doilies, fabrics, buttons, even blankets! She also makes a myriad of other fabric goodies like patchwork quilts, clothing, pillows and more...visit her Flickr album to see it all! xo

Happy Friday! Here's a sampling of work in several mediums by Allyson Mellberg. I believe the prints are collaborations with her husband, Jeremy Taylor, and many of the soft sculptures were inspired by his drawings. They are a mixed-media dream team! There is a really great interview with Allyson on My Love for You is a Stampede of Horses. xo

You know I love me some art dolls and peculiar mixed media! I am intrigued by the imaginings found in the collaborations of two young Romanian artists, Ildiko Muresan and Flavia Marele who call themselves, Harem6. Idliko created the collages you see below and the pair of them collaborate on the handmade dolls. I found their work thanks to Flickr. {Blog}{Etsy}. xo

My heart pines for an original handmade creature by Nicole Licht of Astulabee. Her every little careful detail is sublime! Her plush creatures are my hands down-steal out the door with as many as I can hold in my hot greedy hands-favorites...but her mixed media work is brilliant too! What a treasure! xo

I find these art dolls, wall hangings, and finger puppets by London artist, Flor Panichelli sweetly story-book enchanting! If I had my way, I'd like to have a frightening doll room like those dear ladies who devote an entire room in their homes to display their floor to ceiling doll collection...except my dolls would be handmade and less scary. xo

I've been admiring the work of Malaysian artist, Tako or Evangelione. I love her soft aesthetic that carries throughout her various works and her sweet photo styling...but my favorite detail is the big hairdo that Tako remarks in her descriptions as having been very popular in the old days in Shanghai! Tako also specializes in dollhouse miniatures...visit her Flickr album for all the peeks. {blog} xo Found via Crust Station!

Swedish photographer, Rebecka Ryberg Skött's exhibit, Vintage Fairy Tales opens today at The Church of Sweden in New York! Congratulations, Rebecka! This series grew out of her passion for collecting vintage dolls and toys and allowing their loved and tattered conditions to share their stories. I love her saturated colors and compositions. My favorite aspect is the tension of the doll's poses- they retain that "I will not sit or bend to your will, no matter what you do!" attitude that always perplexed me as a kid. I would also very much like to raid her supply closet! Xo

I've fallen in love this morning with Jessica Quinn- a bona fide pixie-dust generator of an artist! Her Flickr albums have left me feverish with joy and anticipation- for what? I don't know exactly- maybe creating? Do you get that feeling when you see new work that just sings to you!? She draws and sketches and creates the most magical of handmade dolls and well...anything she has a mind to! Her creativity permeates her entire world- the photos of her house and children are equally enchanting! Spend some time at her blog, A Twisted Yarn to see for yourself! xo

I just did a search of my own blog to verify my gnawing fear that I hadn't featured one of my very favorite Etsians and art doll makers, Katie of Skunkboy Creatures! I can't find any hint that I have although I've always told myself-yes you did. Well, no I surely didn't! After some serious deep thinking (ow!) I've brought up some repressed memories that the several times in the past when I would have done it- I stopped when I realized another blogger was posting about her the very same day! (end of sad long story excuse)

I've long admired the sweet homespun details of Skunkboy Creatures handmade (and made to order when purchased!) art dolls. For me- the enchantment of her work is in the recycled grey felt, her colorful top-stitching and the expressive button eyes-such as in little Suzette the Elephant. I imagine the artist might actually be a sweet little country woman making these for the children of travelers who stop by her little folk house. The details and colors are recollected from memories of her childhood outdoor adventures and the rare experience of attending a travelling circus menagerie that once came through a nearby town. Katie's real life muses for her magical and exceptional creatures can be found via her blog! *Katie also sings and plays a mean accordian...I mean, what a triple threat!! xo

This imaginative designer caught my fancy on Poppytalk this morning and I can't stop thinking about her work! Her name is Barbara Berrada and her shop is les zigouis. I added her blog to my favorites too-she is just marvelous! (Thank you, Jan!)

You probably already know and love the sweet details of Jess Brown's dolls...but I simply must continue to add jewels like these to my treasury of favorites! I find so much inspiration in their simplicity of form mixed with their fanciful vintage fabric details, tattered edges and homespun stitching. xo

An original Jess Brown doll.

Jess Brown original dolls and necklaces by Jess madefrom linen and giant "beads" made from scraps of antique fabrics.

Jess Brown Doll (left) with a Danica Suskin friendin a vignette at Jess's shop Maude in Petaluma, Ca.What I wouldn't give to visit!

Jess's daughter took this photo of her doll that was one inher series collaboration with Wovenplay...Small Magazinedid a wonderful article here.

Small magazine's article revealed that it was important to Jess that her doll's design fulfill her childhood wish that her dolly's arms be long enough to hold while walking down the street!

The dolls overall style are modeled after antique French rag dolls. Their sweet coiffures are crafted from recycled felted sweaters and their dresses are from her 'constantly gathered' collection of vintage fabrics. Don't you wish you could have a pair of their hand-knit stockings?

Jess Brown's cozy home studio.

Dolls in waiting. After the doll is assembled Jess hand dyeseach doll in a tea bath for up to three days.

A little vignette of doll production life- tea, salt,and the tags she sends off with each doll.

*Images via Jess Brown's Blog where she catalogues her dollsbefore they are sent to their new homes.*

Good Monday! Here is a small sampling of work created by UK artist, Cathy Cullis. Her range of mediums from embroidered artworks to drawing and painting to art dolls is simply incredible! Her love of poetry radiates through each of her homespun designs increasing their artful intention. Visit NovemberMoon.com for all her links! xo

I know what I want for Christmas! Thankfully, Jen Docherty shared this gem on her blog about the modern Lundby dollhouses. ( I didn't realize they were still in business!) They are everything I've been looking for in a home for quite some time. Maybe I could take one to an architect and say, "here's what I'd like, go with it!" I've actually been spending too much time lately searching for the perfect mid-century modern home for sale in...um, Indianapolis. We are hoping to be transferred there in the next year or two-so I am a little ahead of myself. I'd be pretty happy to play with one of these and continue dreaming....Working lights are standard! When I was little I remember thinking my grandpa was a mad scientist when he installed working lights and a crackling fireplace in my little wooden dollhouse. xo

Lundby Dollhouses and Accessories here.Check out the parent dolls...they are somewhat terrifying!

These handmade dolls by Eva Monleón of misako mimoko have stolen my heart! I can't get over their darling vintage-cartoony expressive eyes and just far out creativity! Her talent as an illustrator and graphic artist must be the vision behind their fantastic features! Visit Eva's {Etsy} or {blog}for more! xo

Etsy and blogland happily make the world a smaller and friendlier place for like-minded artists and craftspeople. This morning I got an email from Alyssa at Penguin and Fish informing me that she kindly posted about my new sculptures today, while just yesterday I began compiling photos of her fetching handmade creatures to post about here! (This isn't the first time this kind of alchemy has occurred either!) I'm so happy to find her wonderful blog too. Thanks so much, Alyssa...and right back atcha! xox

The latest work of Christine Alvarado of Du Buh Du Designs is stunning. She simply outdoes herself with each new doll she creates. I am awestruck over her work on The Carnivale Soiree and the incredible photographs she created to document the series. Catch all the updates via her lovely blog and Flickr. xo